…The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house - his hands shall
also finish it… (Zechariah 4:9)

Bible Correspondence Course - Lesson 11

WHY YOU NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT

What is the Holy Spirit? What does it do? Why do we need it, and how does one receive
it? The answers to these crucial questions are found in the Bible. This lesson will
help you understand the TRUTH about God’s Spirit!

JESUS said: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more
abundantly” (John 10:10). One reason Christ came to earth was to teach humanity the
way to world peace, happiness and prosperity.

But more importantly, Jesus Christ came to reveal the way to receive God's gift of
eternal life. He came to make the precious gift of the Holy Spirit available to those
whom God would call to repentance.

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said,” proclaimed Jesus, “out of his
belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which
they that believe on him should receive)" (John 7:38-39).

Jesus taught that unless we receive the Spirit of God, we can never enter the Kingdom
of God.

Why?

Because it is only through God's Spirit that we can develop the perfect, holy and
righteous character of God in this life, and be resurrected to glorious eternal life
in God's Family at Christ's return!

Jesus Promises Special Help

After teaching His disciples for three and one-half years, Jesus prepared to offer
Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Soon He would be crucified, and after
three days and three nights in the grave, He would be resurrected to sit at the right
hand of His Father in heaven. His apostles would then continue the work He had personally
begun while on earth.

These men would have to carry an unpopular Gospel to a hostile world. They would
have to face years of persecution, ridicule and finally, for most, even martyrdom!
The apostles would need strength, encouragement and wisdom. They would need the love,
patience and endurance to follow in Christ's steps and carry out His commission to
preach the Gospel He proclaimed.

The apostles would also need to recall the lessons taught to them by Christ during
His earthly ministry. As generally “unlearned” men, they needed wisdom to face the
philosophers, scholars and intellectuals of their day. They needed faith and courage
to confront the seething hostility of religious leaders who would attempt to stamp
out the Church of God.

Jesus therefore said to them shortly before His trial and crucifixion: “I am not going
to leave you alone in the world – I am coming to you” (John 14:18, Phillips). Christ
would continue to teach and support the apostles, but not in the flesh. His Father
in heaven would miraculously empower them in their efforts to spread the true Gospel
after Christ returned to heaven.

Christ told His apostles that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to them. It would “bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John
14:26, RSV). He said the Holy Spirit would impart the power they needed to be His witnesses to the world (Acts 1:8).

The record of the New Testament shows this is precisely what happened. The apostles
boldly proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world. Great miracles were performed through the power of the Holy Spirit. And these men recalled and
understood the teachings of their Savior, and were inspired by God's Spirit to write
the New Testament Scriptures!

A Help and Comfort to Every Christian

Christ did not limit the help of the Holy Spirit to the apostles alone. “Repent,”
said the Apostle Peter to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost,
“and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness
of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, RSV).

You can have the power that will enable you to live the way of life leading to peace,
happiness and eternal life in God's Kingdom. But this power can come only from above
– from God in heaven – not from within you or from the around.

The Apostle James said: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father” (Jas. 1:17). God stands ready to impart spiritual strength
and understanding through the gift of His Holy Spirit – if we will only comply with
the conditions outlined in His Word.

The Holy Spirit is indeed the key to the spiritual blessings of God. It is the only ingredient that will bring us God's
love, joy and peace in this life and for all eternity.

Let's begin to understand much more about why we need the Holy Spirit in our lives
today